05.11.2025 15:25
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was asked about the European Court of Human Rights' ruling regarding the violation of rights in the case of Selahattin Demirtaş's detention. Erdoğan stated, "This country is a country of law. We will abide by whatever the judiciary says."
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan answered journalists' questions after his party's parliamentary group meeting.
ANSWER TO THE DEMİRTAŞ QUESTION
Erdoğan stated regarding the European Court of Human Rights' (ECHR) finalized decision on Selahattin Demirtaş, "This country is a country of law. We will abide by whatever the judiciary says."
MEETING WITH BAHÇELİ
In response to a question about when he would meet with MHP leader Bahçeli, Erdoğan replied, "Anything is possible."
HE HAD RECEIVED 42 YEARS IN PRISON IN THE KOBANI CASE
Former HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş was arrested in 2016 as part of an investigation related to the Kobani events. As a result of the trial process, a total of 42 years of prison sentences were handed down to Demirtaş in 2024.
ECHR RULED A VIOLATION OF RIGHTS
In its decision announced on July 8, 2025, the ECHR found Demirtaş's re-arrest in the context of the Kobani case to be "legally problematic." The Ministry of Justice had requested the case to be reconsidered by the ECHR's Grand Chamber. Subsequently, the Grand Chamber rejected Turkey's appeal. Thus, the ECHR's ruling on the violation of Demirtaş's rights became final. Additionally, today marks the 9th year of Demirtaş's imprisonment, and his lawyers had applied for his release following the finalization of the ECHR's violation ruling.
NOTIFICATION OF THE ECHR DECISION WILL BE AWAITED
The domestic law must make a decision for the release. Demirtaş's lawyers applied to the Regional Administrative Court, where the Kobani case is located, for his release. According to the information obtained, the court will await the notification of the ECHR decision during this process regarding the release request.
BAHÇELİ: HIS RELEASE WILL BE A BLESSING FOR TURKEY
Following these developments, Bahçeli stated, "Mr. Selahattin Demirtaş has reached a conclusion through legal means. His release will be a blessing for Turkey."
ÖZEL: I WISH FOR FREEDOM FROM ALL OF TURKEY
Regarding Bahçeli's statements, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel said, "Now some are trying to say, 'Let's do this for a terrorism-free Turkey, let's set aside democracy demands.' In the country, we are heading towards a 'terrorism-free Turkey,' and currently, there are trustees in 13 municipalities. Erdoğan has stated, 'From now on, trustees will become the exception.' Mr. Selahattin Demirtaş and Ms. Figen Yüksekdağ should be released, as political prisoners. Mr. Bahçeli's statement that 'his release will be beneficial' is a very positive statement. But I ask those who boasted about imprisoning Demirtaş and Yüksekdağ yesterday: If you say 'this is for the best' today, don't you owe an apology? To be clear, we owe one too. As the current party leader, I apologize to all of Turkey for that day."